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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

On a regular Thursday afternoon, I was doing some work for "Miss Kris Music" and I got a text from Spencer, asking me if I would be able to leave in a couple hours for the west coast. I said "YES!" and he gave me the choice of Oregon or Northern California and we narrowed it down to San Francisco. A couple hours later, we were on the road. We arrived at 4:00am and stayed at his aunt's home. What I loved is how we were able to drive twelve hours and had a blast the entire time.

The first day was spent between China Town and Union Square. Spencer was so sweet, wanting to buy me cute li'l things and take pictures of us wherever we went. Just walking around and experiencing the surroundings was so much fun. Spencer played with a Chinese band, we ate at the Oriental Pearl, and we walked around the Macy's there because it was stinkin' rinkin' huge! We didn't get everything done that we wanted but it was getting late so we took off.

The next day was spent walking from Pier 39 to Lombard Street and everything in between. Crab sandwiches, clam chowder; busses that go from the streets into the ocean, incredibly steep streets and beautiful homes. The beach was one of the best parts for me. Being able to walk on soft sand and smell the seaweed, while feeling the salt water is my kinda heaven. The big ships a few yards away was a cool addition, too.

We wanted to go to Alcatraz but that--along with a bunch of other stuff--is saved for another trip. Instead, we spent the rest of the evening at the Golden Gate Bridge. We figured it was a good last thing to do before we headed home. That was the only time we didn't enjoy the ride--driving out of San Francisco.

The weekend before Fall 2010 Semester was so much fun and relaxing. It was wonderful to leave without plans and do whatever we wanted, whenever and wherever we wanted. And to do that in San Francisco was perfect because just being there was good enough. With so much to see and do without paying a cent. It was pretty great.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

On a day like today, I have a hard time staying indoors. The sky's sunny & bright one minute, then it goes gray and loaded with lightning & thunder the next and then back again. But, through it all, it was a beautiful day.

In between classes and studying, Spencer and I decided to take a break and have a li'l picnic. We met up and sat in the shade of a big tree in the front of UVU. It was a great break from school and everything that goes along with that. Plus, it was good to absorb some of that sunshiny-ness before the storm really hit. For the rest of the day, the sky was gray, rain and hail fell hard and lightning & thunder kept getting louder, brighter and, sometimes, scarier.I couldn't help but notice the people around me. Kids were jumping and playing around, drivers would splash through puddles on the street and I got to see one of those cute picture-moments where a couple gave a goodbye hug & kiss, oblivious to the elements around them. Going from one place to another, I couldn't help but prance around (for whatever reason, I think that will keep me dryer than if I were to just walk. It is more fun--that's for sure!). That is what I love to do in the rain--play and dance around, watching the lightning light up the city and the rain clean the streets. Even a picnic underneath a tree to keep you fairly dry is fun. It's so much better than staying indoors, waiting for the storm to pass (Who knows when that will be, anyway?).

And, when it is over, the sky will seem brand new; the dust and dirt will be washed away; the grass will be greener and the sun will shine bright again, just as it always does. So to this story, I would like to share a few things:

Have a 'picnic' whenever you have the chance

Look for the joy (it's there), no matter the conditions

The 'storm' may be needed to make the 'grass greener' and wash away the grime

Behind the heavy clouds is the sun, ready to shine through

Even a storm can give you a spectacular view

You can wait indoors and hide away or you can be in the action and witness God's power

I know, I know. It's cheezy but I always think of this children's song (one of my favorites) that means many things to me (I added my own verses, just for kicks and giggles):